As the new year dawns, we can reflect that 2024 was characteristically busy – and productive. I want to acknowledge that all your individual hard work has the cumulative effect of making Caltrans the nation’s premier department of transportation. I have every confidence that we will continue that leading role for the foreseeable future. While the emergence of 2025 puts us in forward-looking mode, let us take a few moments to consider a couple of major things that we announced this fall: the 2024-2028 Strategic Management Plan, and the 2023-2024 Annual Accomplishments Report.
Caltrans District 1’s Heidi Quintrell was named the “Public Employee of the Year – State” recently by Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS). FLICS honors the best location professionals in entertainment at the annual California on Location Awards (COLA) ceremony and recognized Quintrell for her work on the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson directed feature, “The Battle of Baktan Cross,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Regina Hall.
Caltrans has always been at the forefront of improving safety and innovation on the state’s vast network of highways and roads. One of the most innovative tools that District 2 has incorporated into its operations is the Balsi Beam, a critical piece of equipment designed to protect both our maintenance workers and motorists during maintenance activities.
Over the past year, the team behind District 1’s Local Grant Program has been hard at work guiding its seven Cycle 1 projects to completion. All seven of the projects were granted to underserved communities throughout District 1’s four counties, and Local Grant Program Manager Preston Allen has been at the helm, working with program partners and engaging with the public.
For years, KQMS NewsTalk Radio has featured a series of interviews with representatives from District 2. According to Steve Gibson, KQMS’ news director and on-air personality, the partnership has been remarkably successful and mutually beneficial. "We’ve had an excellent working relationship with Caltrans since we’ve been doing these monthly interviews," he said.
A springtime fuel reduction effort paid off big this summer. The Hoff Fire sparked in early August when a vehicle fire spread to vegetation along State Route 29 near Hidden Valley in Lake County. CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa (LNU) Unit posted photos of the burnt hillside and wrote that a “Caltrans District 1 roadside clearance project helped prevent a major wildfire.”
One of the lesser-known but essential parts of District 2 is its sign shop, where signs that guide millions of motorists every year are meticulously crafted. These signs are more than just pieces of metal with words, they represent safety, navigation and communication on the road. A vital part of any transportation system, road signs communicate necessary information to drivers.
Caltrans annually participates in the State Employee Food Drive event. The 2024 Headquarters Food Drive runs from through Jan. 8. (Districts also are conducting food drives; ask your food-drive coordinator for details.) We kindly request your support in contributing imperishable food items. Your generosity can go a long way in providing nourishment comfort to those who need it most.
A pair of new and upgraded full color changeable message boards (CMS) have been installed on northbound U.S. Highway 101 near State Route 154 and near the North Bound Pueblo Street off-ramp in Santa Barbara. These new full-color message boards several represent a major upgrade than what was there before and include significant advantages.
Emotions are a normal part of everyday life. We feel frustrated when we are stuck in traffic. We feel sad when we miss our loved ones. We can get angry when someone disappoints us or does something to cause us pain. While we expect to feel these emotions regularly, some people start to experience emotions that are more intense and impact their lives. The good news is that we can learn how to handle big emotions.
Kelijo Boney is the new Clean California public education campaign manager in Headquarters Public Affairs. Kelijo comes to us from the Division of Traffic Operation’s Office of Talent Management, where she was the branch chief of career development and succession planning for almost three years.
Tom Chorneau has joined Headquarters Public Affairs as the customer service officer. He serves as the liaison between the public and the Division of Maintenance, Traffic Operations, and Equipment along with taking on other public affairs responsibilities.
R.J. Hickman is the new maintenance area superintendent for the Maintenance Equipment Training Academy (META) at Headquarters. R.J. brings 18 years of dedicated service to Caltrans, having gained extensive experience across various maintenance facilities in District 8 before transitioning to META in 2018.
Andrew May is Caltrans’ new broadband media specialist. Andrew joins the department after 15 years serving communities locally and internationally in various educational settings. He began his career as a high school teacher specializing in English and the humanities.
Rebecca Parnianchi has joined Headquarters Public Affairs as the media public records coordinator with the CPRA unit. Before joining Caltrans, Rebecca worked for Intel, where she developed and executed global communication strategies across multiple departments.
Toniell Smith has joined Headquarters Public Affairs as an assistant public information officer. Toniell is a dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience in customer service. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in family and consumer sciences.
Richard (Rich) Stone is the new SHOPP (State Highway Operation and Protection Program) programming office chief. In this role, Rich oversees programming actions for preservation, repair, rehabilitation, and operational improvements for state highway system assets through the statewide SHOPP program.
John Allison passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 16 at home, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was 81 years old. He lived a long and full life and will be greatly missed. He was born in Fresno on Sept. 3, 1942, to Margery and Clarence Allison. After high school, John went to work for the California Division of Highways, and eventually joined the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (aka the Sea Bees) in 1965 with an honorable discharge in October 1968.
On Nov. 6, retired Caltrans worker Donald Ernest Lampman (94) finished his earthly course and went home to be with the Lord he loved, Jean (his wife of almost 68 years), his parents, and numerous other friends and family. What a day of rejoicing that must have been, although we who remain will miss him dearly here. After being discharged from the Navy, Don went to work for the California Division of Highways (now Caltrans) until he retired.
Retired Caltrans employee Bettie Anne Rutan, 89, died quietly in her home in Eureka on Oct, 4. She maintained her love of family, profound sense of gratitude, and poise through her final days. Her deep faith filled her with hope and an abiding peace. In the 1960s Bettie re-entered the workforce as an employee of the state of California, first for the Employment Development Department and later as a bookkeeper for Caltrans.
DOT Shots
What's new with Caltrans? In the spirit that one picture is worth 1,000 words, CT News presents a crowded gallery of photographs taken by, of and about our colleagues and the work they do. Check out the photographs and marvel at all the implied stories they tell!
Caltrans employees munched and mingled at the annual Director's Office Holiday Open House, held in mid-December at the Headquarters building across from the State Capitol in Sacramento.
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